Cultivation techniques and precautions for daffodils

The daffodil flowers are as white as jade, with golden coronas, beautiful flower shapes and pleasant fragrance. They are ideal flowers for interior decoration in winter. The viewing period is long, from winter to early spring, and the flowering period can reach 1-2 months. Let’s learn the cultivation techniques and precautions of daffodils below.

1. Choose a maintenance method

Daffodils can be grown in soil or hydroponically. Hydroponics is more suitable for home farming because it is clean, convenient, and allows for intuitive observation of root growth.

2. Choose high-quality flower bulbs

Choose flower balls that are full, strong, flat in shape, and have many small balls. High-quality flower balls feel firm and have sufficient moisture inside, which increases the likelihood of blooming and the quality of the flowers. Avoid choosing flower bulbs that are small, skinny, or have diseases and insect pests, as these flower bulbs are prone to the "dumb flower" phenomenon.

3. Flower bulb processing

Peel off the brown membrane on the outer layer of the flower ball, wash it clean, and use a knife to gently make a cross-shaped incision on the top of the flower ball (do not cut the internal tissue), then soak it in a diluted fungicide solution for 10 minutes, take it out and dry it. If the flower ball has already sprouted, the incision step can be omitted, but make sure the incision is treated with a fungicide to prevent infection.

4. Put the flower bulb into the pot

When growing hydroponically, place the flower bulb in a container and add water to one-third of the bulb, avoiding completely submerging the bulb. When cultivating in soil, choose loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, bury the flower ball in the soil to a depth about twice that of the bulb, and water it thoroughly.

5. Reasonable supplement of water and fertilizer

Hydroponics: Change the water once a day in the early stage to keep the water clean. After the root system grows steadily, the frequency of water changes can be reduced. A small amount of nutrient solution can be added during the growth period, but the concentration should be low.

Soil cultivation: Watering should follow the principle of “watering when the soil is dry and watering when the soil is wet” to avoid water accumulation. Organic fertilizer can be added as base fertilizer before planting, and thin liquid fertilizer can be applied every 1-2 weeks during the growth period.

6. Control temperature and light

The most suitable growth temperature for daffodils is 10℃ - 18℃. They are cold-resistant but not heat-resistant. About 6 hours of sunlight are needed every day to promote thick stems and dark green leaves. Insufficient light will cause the plant to grow too tall and affect flowering.

7. Flowering period management

During the flowering period, avoid the flowers from direct sunlight and wind, and place them in a place with soft light and good ventilation. After the flowering period is over, deal with the remaining flowers and dead leaves in time. Hydroponic bulbs need to be dried and preserved, while soil-grown bulbs can continue to be maintained.

8. Preventing excessive growth

Insufficient light or high temperatures will cause leggy growth, thin plants and few flowers. You can control excessive growth by lowering the temperature, increasing light, and reducing the frequency of watering.

In addition, keep the environment clean and clean the containers and bulbs regularly. Common diseases and pests include brown spot disease and nematode disease, which can be controlled by using pesticides such as carbendazim or furadan . Whether it is hydroponics or soil culture, water accumulation must be avoided to prevent the bulbs from rotting.